Dhaka: BNP on Tuesday alleged that Barrister Mainul Hosein was arrested ‘illegally’ at the behest of the government high-ups to frustrate the movement aiming to ‘restore’ democracy.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi strongly condemned the arrest and demanded his immediate release, reports the UNB.

‘The arrest of a renowned lawyer like Mainul Hosein in a defamation case is an unprecedented incident. The arrest was made to hamper the movement as it aimed at restoring democracy,’ he said.

Mentioning that Mainul is a person having respect for law, the BNP leader said his offence was to take a stance against misrule and speak in favour of democracy.

He alleged that the Prime Minister at her press conference on Monday encouraged people to file more cases against him and talked about subsequent action against him.

‘Hours after her such announcement, the arrest warrant was issued, and he (Mainul) was arrested. ‘It’s now clear that he was arrested at the directives of the government high-ups after issuing a warrant for his arrest by a court at night,’ the BNP leader observed.

Rizvi said it is legal practice to issue summon first by the court in defamation case and then take statement of the accused person before issuing the arrest warrant. ‘There’s no example of issuing arrest warrant immediate after filing of any defamation case. So, Mainul Hosein’s arrest is illegal. We strongly condemn it.’

A team of Detective Branch (DB) of police on Monday night arrested former caretaker government adviser Mainul Hosein in front of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president ASM Abdur Rob’s Uttara residence in a defamation case filed in Rangpur.

Rizvi alleged that the Prime Minister’s remarks on polls at her press conference exposed that she does not want a fair and participatory election. ‘She’s is trying to hold the election by force.’

He warned that the people will not allow the government to hold a lopsided election this time.

Rizvi alleged that law enforcers have launched their final crackdown on BNP leaders and activists ahead of the national election. ‘The incidents of extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance, mass arrest and repression on opposition leaders and activists have marked a rise now.’

Referring to the recovery of four bullet-hit bodies in Narayanganj, he said the government is trying to hang onto power by standing on dead bodies.